For the elucidation of the subject before us, I will endeavour to shew, I. What is the disposition here reprobated —
It is self-love : " Men shall be lovers of their own selves." But we are not to imagine that every kind and degree of self-love is sinful. On the contrary, the desire which God has infused into the soul of every man to promote his own welfare, is proposed by God himself as a standard, agreeably to which we are to regulate our love to our neighbour : he calls it *' a royal law," as being established by himself; and he declares, that, in accommodating ourselves to it and " loving our neighbour as ourselves, we do well^" Nay, more ; our blessed Lord compares with it the love which he himself bears to his own Church and people : " No man ever yet hated his own flesh, but nourisheth, and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the Church^" Still, however, when it becomes inor- dinate, it is a very hateful disposition, evil in itself, and abominable in the sight of God. Self-love is then sinful,
1. When it induces a forgetfulness of God — [God should be acknowledged by us as the only source of all good ; for " from him proceedeth every good and perfect gift^:" and for his glory should every thing be done; as it is said, " Whether ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God\" But self-love robs him in both these respects : it leads men to ascribe their success of every kind to their own wisdom and power; and at the same time to seek their own gratification only in the enjoyment of all that they possess. Now what can be more hateful, than for a man to be " sacrificing to his own net, and burning incense to his own drag''," when he should be adoring God for the mercies vouchsafed unto him? or what more abominable, than for a man to be " living to himself," when he should be consecrating all his powers to the service of his Creator and Redeemer'? In fact, what is this, but to idolize ourselves, and to put our- selves in the very place of God? Covetousness and sensuality are expressly called idolatry'": yet are these but branches proceeding from the root of inordinate self-love ; which is
f Jam. ii. 8. s Eph. v, 29. '' Jam. i. 17.
i 1 Cor. X. 31. k Jiab. i. 16. 1 Cor. iv. 7.
1 Rom. xiv. 7, 8. " Phil. iii. 19. Col. iii. 5.